Michael Kable, Maitland Grossman High Teacher sentenced for brawl with teen student
Teacher caught brawling with students in class admits his actions were ‘shameful’ when he learns his fate
- Michael Kable, 62, convicted of beating a student
- Video of the incident shows him pulling a student over a desk
- Sentenced to 18 months community correction
- Teaching cannot continue
A substitute teacher said the way he behaved when a brawl broke out in his class was “shameful” as he was judged for his actions.
Michael Kable, 62, was given 18 months community service for punching a student during an altercation at Maitland Grossman High School, near Newcastle in the NSW Hunter region on March 21.
Due to Friday’s verdict and criminal conviction, he is no longer allowed to teach.
The teacher shows disturbing images of the incident, recorded by a student grabbing a kid by his shirt and pulling him over a desk – before another student then threw another desk at him.
A second video appeared a short time later, which could be seen the teacher holding a handful of paper balls that appear to have been thrown at him by a student during class.
Teacher Michael Kable (pictured days after the incident) was filmed punching a student during a brawl at Maitland Grossman High School in March
Mr. Kable can then be heard saying ‘do you understand me? Stop it,” before the student throws another paper ball at him.
The video shows students yelling at the teacher before a table was thrown at him.
The court heard the former teacher had good character.
His attorney Cameron Duncan argued that the former informal teacher was assigned to teach the class without any instructions.
He was also unaware that there were six students were on behavior management plans, the court heard.
His lawyer told the court that students formed a pack and misbehaved for half an hour by throwing paper, pens, pencil cases and a desk at the substitute teacher.
Mr Kable then retaliated in a way that was ‘quite embarrassing’, the court heard.
The former substitute teacher is ’embarrassed’ about his actions in class that day
Mr Kable (pictured arriving at court on Friday) can no longer teach after receiving a criminal conviction
“Being a teacher is quite a difficult job at the moment, being a casual teacher is even more difficult and the situation gets worse if the casual teacher doesn’t get suitable plans,” Mr Duncan said.
Thousands, including former students, signed a Change.org petition in support of Mr Kable after the video went viral, claiming the footage failed to show the context of the altercation and that the teacher was ‘insulted’ and regularly physically and was verbally abused by students.
Magistrate Ron Maiden noted Mr. Kable’s good nature, but said he was in a position of trust and that the victim was a “vulnerable person.”
He also admitted that Mr. Kable may now also experience difficulties in finding work in other industries.
Mr Kable declined to comment on the verdict as he left court.
He previously told Daily Mail Australia two sides to every story, but eventually admitted that he had “done the wrong thing.”
Michael Kable (left) was given an 18-month community correction order when he faced court on Friday